[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR4.03-1]

[Page 40-41]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 4--MARINE CASUALTIES AND INVESTIGATIONS--Table of Contents
 
                        Subpart 4.03--Definitions
 
Sec. 4.03-1  Marine casualty or accident.


    (a) The term marine casualty or accident shall mean any casualty or 
accident involving any vessel other than public vessels if such casualty 
or accident occurs upon the navigable waters of the United States, its 
territories or possessions or any casualty or accident wherever such 
casualty or accident may occur involving any United States' vessel which 
is not a public vessel. (See Sec. 4.03-40 for definition of Public 
Vessel.)
    (b) The term marine casualty or accident includes any accidental 
grounding, or any occurrence involving a vessel which results in damage 
by or to the vessel, its apparel, gear, or cargo, or injury or loss of 
life of any person; and includes among other things, collisions, 
strandings, groundings, founderings, heavy weather damage, fires, 
explosions, failure of gear and equipment and any other damage which 
might affect or impair the seaworthiness of the vessel.

[[Page 41]]

    (c) The term marine casualty or accident also includes occurrences 
of loss of life or injury to any person while diving from a vessel and 
using underwater breathing apparatus.

[CGD 74-119, 39 FR 33317, Sept. 17, 1974, as amended by CGD 76-170, 45 
FR 77441, Nov. 24, 1980]